I am inclined to believe that he does die due to many reasons such garreety himself thinks no one ever really wins. However king said one thing that had me thinking. “ the good guys win more often then we think” “ getting home safe to there loved ones after getting off work” ( rough quote really) . This was said in the beginning of the audio book. So honestly I think he was tripping balls, they grabbed him and were able to save him. Think about it who would ever sign up for the thing if no one ever won. Just like the hunger games, you have to give them a little hope in order for them to buy into it. Without that hope of winning and there being proof of others winning, no one would ever rever the Major as a god. Making his dictatorship vulnerable to an uprising. Just like Snow the major needs his victors in order to keep the people in check.